How Powell Gardens and Colonial Farms Became Part of FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City

When plans for FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City were announced, mention of a Garden Deck sparked an idea about how Powell Gardens could contribute to the visitor experience.

Although there was no formal invitation or request for proposals, the opportunity aligned naturally with the strengths of both Powell Gardens and Powell Gardens Colonial Farms. A conversation with festival organizers led to a partnership that ultimately positioned Powell Gardens and Colonial Farms as the plant suppliers for both the Garden Deck and the Legacy Lounge at FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City.

What began as an initial inquiry evolved into a significant project involving multiple semi-loads of plants, detailed logistics planning, installation coordination, and ongoing support.

The project also became an early example of the possibilities created through the recent addition of Colonial Farms to the Powell Gardens family. By combining the horticultural expertise, growing capacity, and plant inventory of Colonial Farms with the experience and mission of Powell Gardens, the organizations were able to deliver a project on a scale that neither might have pursued independently.

For the teams involved, the project represented far more than moving plants from one location to another. It was an opportunity to help shape the visitor experience for one of the region’s most visible international events. Thousands of guests from across the country and around the world will experience these spaces, many of whom may have never visited a botanical garden or garden center before.

As public gardens, it is easy to focus engagement efforts within organizational boundaries. Yet some of the most meaningful opportunities occur when horticultural expertise is brought into the wider community. Plants and landscapes can enhance festivals, sporting events, civic celebrations, public spaces, and cultural gatherings. By participating in these moments, gardens can reach new audiences, strengthen community partnerships, and demonstrate the value that horticulture brings to everyday experiences.

The FIFA Fan Festival project also reinforced an important lesson: opportunities do not always arrive with an invitation. Sometimes they begin with paying attention, recognizing a possibility, and taking the initiative to start a conversation.

Most importantly, this project was made possible by an exceptional team. Staff from both Powell Gardens and Colonial Farms worked together to plan, source, transport, install, and maintain the displays. Their professionalism, creativity, and commitment transformed an idea into reality and showcased what can happen when organizations unite around a shared goal. The project also demonstrated how Colonial Farms’ garden center and growing operations have expanded Powell Gardens’ ability to serve the region, providing the inventory, infrastructure, and expertise needed to support a high-profile installation of this scale.

The visibility of the project extended beyond the festival grounds. Several local and regional news outlets covering the opening of FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City highlighted the Garden Deck and surrounding horticultural displays, providing valuable exposure for Powell Gardens and Colonial Farms and helping introduce the organizations to new audiences.

As Kansas City prepares to welcome visitors from around the globe, Powell Gardens and Colonial Farms are proud to play a small role in showcasing the region. Through projects like this, public gardens continue to demonstrate their value not only as destinations, but also as community partners capable of contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of the places they serve.

Sometimes the best opportunities for a public garden are not the ones that come looking for it. They are the ones it chooses to pursue.